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At last we're at the final setup stage.
The first step is to install the tuning machines. I like the gold Schaller
machines. They look great and they have a smooth action.
Then I cut the nut slot. Notice that I cut it only to the maple veneer.
I'll show you why in a moment.
Next, I install the copper string pins in the tail piece.
I decided to get a little creative with the pin pattern this time.
Then I find the exact placement of the bridge using a wooden dowel to
simulate the bridge and a digital tuner to tell me exactly where the
compensated bridge position is.
Once again I cut the slot only to the maple veneer.
And here's why. This way I get a continuous white line underneath the bridge
and nut.
Now we start to get to the fine detail work. Using various files I set
the basic height and shape of the nut. This special vise allows me to easily
get to the sides if the nut with my files.
Using needle files and special nut slotting files I cut the string slots and set
the actionn at the nut. The "action" is the height of the string above the frets.
And at last we can string her up and set the action at the bridge.
This instrument really surprised me. Ken wanted his instrument to be a bit deeper
than standard so it's 2 1/2 inches deep instead of 2" and it built on the wider
Grand Concert body size. This is the loudest dulcimer I've ever built. The bass string
really has a lot of punch.
It's done! And she's a beauty for sure.
